Dr Rothschild's research activities have influenced agriculture in developing and developed countries in several ways. His research on processes governing pest abundance provided the basis for the international program on pest management in rice - regarded as the most successful in the developing world.
While at CSIRO, he pioneered the use of behaviour-modifiers (pheromones) for pest control in Australia, and developed the technology for the first commercially-viable system for orchards in the world. The technology is now utilised in Japan, USA and Europe, and has been adapted for a wide range of pests.
As an administrator, Dr Rothschild has made significant contributions as an Assistant Chief in CSIRO, as inaugural Director of the Bureau of Rural Resources, and as Director of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.